The number-one complaint is lack of access . We go out and find landowners who wouldn ’ t allow hunting at all , period . We ’ re talking with folks from California , Colorado , back East — people who would never allow hunting ,” said Mason Mrnak , COO of Base Camp Leasing , a Sportsmen ’ s Alliance Business Partner that markets leases to hunters on a subscription-based level . “ Once they see there ’ s revenue and they ’ re covered from liability , they ’ re willing to allow hunter access . We ’ ve opened 6.5 million acres across the country and put a quarter-million hunters , 14,000 last year , in the field over the last 25 years .”
Opening that locked-up land is key for recruitment and retention , as well as for conservation .
“ Sixty percent of land in the U . S . is private . If we want more opportunities and areas to hunt , tapping into that is important not just from a hunt-quality standpoint , but from a conservation standpoint and stewardship of the land and wildlife ,” said Sean Ferbrache , COO of AHLA , also a Sportsmen ’ s Alliance Business Partner .
The association was formed to provide the tools for hunters and landowners to responsibly enter into a lease with clear agreements of expectations on both sides , as well as liability
coverage for the landowner , and AHLA ’ s Ferbrache points out that the cost falls right in line with many other hobbies .
“ When we talk leasing , it ’ s an annual lease for ducks , deer , shed hunting , mushrooms , etc . It ' s year-long access and recreation ,” said Ferbrache , noting AHLA ’ s average lease runs about $ 3,500 . “ A $ 5,000 hunting lease is usually split between five or six guys . That ’ s $ 1,000 each , which isn ’ t that much . Golf and other hobbies cost that much over the course of a year .”
Both Ferbrache and Mrnak point to alternative possibilities , all of which impact the quality of a hunt and access . Landowners who allow open access for all assume a ton of liability and costs of damages to their property with nobody to hold responsible , both facts that can close hunting to everyone in the event of issues . Likewise , unfettered access
PUBLIC LANDS OF THE UNITED STATES
LAND OWNERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES
More than 60 percent of land in the U . S . is privately owned . Leasing land can provide quality hunts that increase hunter retention .
COURTESY OF HEADWATERS ECONOMICS , LEFT ( 2 ); BRIAN LYNN
24 SPORTSMENSALLIANCE . ORG